We're Back!! :)!!!

Well, we're back!!! We had such a fabulous time, but we're both suffering from jet lag MAJORLY (Paris is 9 hours ahead of us. . . talk about a time change!). So if this post is a little incoherent, that's why! :). We really enjoyed Paris. It's a BEAUTIFUL city! A little stinky and dirty(it smelled like urine in some places), but beautiful. The food was SOOO amazing! We didn't have a bad meal the whole time we were there! Amazingly enough, we found the French to be rather pleasant fellows. I guess it helps that Dad speaks French! Overall, we had a REALLY good time.

Well, I have SOOO many pics to post that I decided to do different posts over the next few days!

This is a pic of the fields of France as we were flying in on Saturday, April 11th. I didn't realize how much farming is done there. I guess I assumed France was mostly cities...boy was I wrong!

Once we got to Paris and got all settled into our hotel (which was a total dive, might I add. It was also in a non-touristy area, so I guess we got a more authentic experience), Dad, Sam and I decided to hike up to Montmartre and get some pics. Montmartre is the tallest hill in Paris and so it has some great views. It was raining so most of the pics didn't turn out so well. Montmartre is a REALLY cute area with lots of little shops. So we at least enjoyed the surroundings!

On Easter Sunday, we were suppose to go to church and we were all really looking forward to going. However, Sam and I set our alarm clock for PM instead of AM, and we woke up really late. We quickly got ready and called a taxi to take us to church, but of course the taxi never showed up. So we took the Metro (the subway) into the center of town and just acted like tourists. This is Sam and I at the Tuilleries (a garden) which surrounds the Louvre Museum.

Here is one side of the Louvre Museum

We also took a nice leisurely stroll next to the Seine River, which runs next to the Tuilleries.

Later that day, we took a bus tour of Paris. It was nice just to see the city and not have to be walking anymore! I LOVE this pic! This is one of our first views of the Eiffel Tower.

After our bus tour, Sam and I walked over to the Opera House.The Phantom of the Opera was set at this Opera House. It even has an underground lake! We didn't get to go inside, but it's gorgeous just the same!

Sunday night, Dad, Sam and I went to the Eiffel Tower to see it all lit up. Talk about amazing!

It also glitters on the hour for 3 minutes! So cute!

On Monday, we went to the Notre Dame Cathedral. It was, of course, beautiful, but VERY crowded. Notre Dame is called Point Zero, which is where the center of Paris is.

The detail around Notre Dame were just awesome. And to think that someone had to hand carve all of that!!

Inside Notre Dame Cathedral. You know, I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to see Quazimoto while we were there. Perhaps we'll have to go back to Paris just so that I can see him! Sanctuary!!!! :)

The back side of Notre Dame. Perhaps I'm just non-observant, but I just learned that most cathedrals are built into the shape of a cross! You can kind of see the top part of the cross in this pic. I was amazed to see how ornate this cathedral is!

This nice, retired French man offered to take a pic of the 4 of us. I'm not sure exactly what he said, but he seemed nice.

Also on Monday, we went to the biggest museum in Europe, the Louvre Museum. It was a pretty impressive museum with lots of famous pieces. However, it was CROWDED, hot, and the layout was very confusing. We saw some awesome art pieces, but it wasn't my favorite museum. Here Sam and I are in front of the pyramid at the Louvre.

Ah, the Louvre's pride and joy- the Mona Lisa. You know, it's really interesting looking at the painting because it's really quite small. I had always pictured it as a large painting, but it's very tiny. It's still a sight to see!

One of the rooms in the Louvre. Talk about a little on the ornate side. Look at all the gold and paintings! Just breathtaking!

Later on Monday night, we went for a river cruise down the Seine River. We went right at dusk and it was just beautiful. Sam took like 100 pics just while we were on the river cruise. There are just so many bridges and beautiful things to see, especially from the view from the river!

Another view from our river cruise. I just love how ornate all of the buildings are. The French really pay close attention to detail that it's just amazing!!

Well, I'm going to continue this within the next few days (I need to give my computer and keyboard a much needed break)!